98 points
"The 2003 Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard (50% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah) is truly great stuff. All of the Grenache is aged in larger demi-muids, with the Syrah and Mourvedre kept in smaller barrels. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by a big, sweet, kirsch liqueur, creme de cassis, lavender, licorice, and pepper-scented bouquet. Reminiscent of a Chateauneuf du Pape with a New World twist, it possesses a fabulous texture, beautiful purity, and a seamless, voluptuous personality. It should age beautifully for a decade, assuming purchasers can keep their hands off of it that long. The 2003s were bottled about seven weeks before my visit, but I could hardly complain about the fact they weren’t “showing.” I highly recommend that wine enthusiasts who love Rhone Ranger wines pay a visit to the James Berry Vineyard, one of the true grand cru sites in the region. "
Best 2005-2015